Wearing a book, hooking him up

In the past few days, the injury on the inside of Su Jingyao's thigh has completely recovered. At this moment, she is concentrating on practicing calligraphy in the study room of Xiyan Palace.

"Master, Aunt Jinhua from the Queen's side is here and is waiting for you in the hall."

Miaoyun hurried into the study, with a hint of worry on her face.

Su Jingyao paused with the pen in her hand, raised her eyebrows slightly, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

The queen finally found her. If she hadn’t found her, how would she perform in the future?

"Well, let's go."

Su Jingyao calmly put down her pen, slowly stood up, and walked towards the hall at a leisurely pace.

In the hall of Xiyan Palace, Aunt Jinhua stood upright and solemnly in the middle of the hall. When she saw Su Jingyao coming in, she immediately performed a standard salute.

"Your servant greets Concubine Su."

"Aunt, please stand up. I wonder why you came to Xiyan Palace today?"

Su Jingyao was wearing a light pink long dress today, the hem of which elegantly dragged on the ground, her figure was graceful, agile and beautiful.

Aunt Jinhua looked up at Su Jingyao with surprise in her eyes. What a charming and attractive woman! It was a pity that with such beauty, she couldn't capture a man's heart. It was in vain.

Aunt Jinhua’s face returned to seriousness.

"Concubine Su, you have been married into the Eastern Palace for ten days. The Queen has some free time today, so she would like to invite you to Kunning Palace for a chat."

"Yes."

Su Jingyao responded softly, then followed Aunt Jinhua to Kunning Palace.

In the Kunning Palace, the palace is magnificent and solemn. The empress sits at the top of the hall with a dignified manner and a majestic air without even being angry.

Su Jingyao walked into the hall with light lotus steps. When she reached the center of the hall, she bent her knees slightly, bowed, and had a gentle smile on her face.

She said softly, "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health."

The queen slowly raised her right hand, picked up the teacup beside her, took a sip, and gently put the cup down.

She lowered her eyes slightly, and glanced at Su Jingyao in front of her with a cold gaze like lightning, with a hint of majesty in her eyes.

When the Crown Prince chose the daughter of a military commander as his Crown Princess, the Queen was quite dissatisfied.

After all, the Crown Princess not only grew up in the frontier and had no manners, but she also had no children after marriage, and she also asked the Crown Prince not to marry anyone else except her.

But the prince was her only prince, and had been carefully taught by her since childhood. The relationship between mother and son was deep, so naturally there would be no rift between them because of a woman.

Since the prince likes her, there's nothing wrong in marrying her.

Can the Crown Prince really remain chaste for the Crown Princess for his entire life?

The queen knew men and knew the emperor even better, so naturally she didn't believe it.

As the daughter of Shang Shuling, the chief civil official, Su Jingyao had been well-read since childhood and was a gentle and quiet lady from a noble family. The Queen originally wanted her to become the Crown Princess.

At first, I thought I would ask His Majesty to appoint Su Jingyao as the Crown Princess when Su Jingyao was two years older. But I never expected that when the Crown Prince went to the battlefield, he was bewitched by a wild woman.

In order not to affect the mother-son relationship between her and the prince, the queen had to suppress her disgust for the princess.

After all, she has been in the harem for many years and is well aware of the political intrigues involved. She also understands her son well. The more she opposes, the more counterproductive the effect will be. It would be better to wait until the prince's feelings fade.

The Crown Princess had been infertile for two years, which gave the Queen a good reason to personally request His Majesty to grant the marriage.

As the daughter of Shang Shuling, Su Jingyao has been asked about her appearance, talent and character by many noble families since she was ten years old. The Queen is no exception for the sake of the Crown Prince.

The daughter of the Su family grew up in the pampering of her parents and had a simple personality, which made the queen quite satisfied. In addition, Su Jingyao's appearance was really outstanding, which made the queen even more satisfied.

Can a man with a strong mind really be able to focus on a beautiful woman when he meets her?

However, since Su Jingyao married into the Eastern Palace, the Queen had been waiting for a full ten days. Her spies in the Eastern Palace actually reported back that the Prince had never been to Xiyan Palace except for staying there on the first day.

How can this work!

As the crown prince, if he wants to inherit the throne, he must convince the court officials, and he must have a prince before he ascends the throne.

Without the prince, how can the country be stable? How can the ambitions of other princes be suppressed?

The queen looked at Su Jingyao's face carefully.

Her eyebrows were as dark as distant ink, her eyes were as clear as autumn water, and her lips were red without any makeup. She was even more beautiful than she had imagined.

Even though the queen was used to seeing all kinds of beauties in the harem, she couldn't help but be slightly distracted when she saw Su Jingyao.

"Get up! Do you admit your guilt?" The queen's voice was cold, revealing majesty and intimidation, which made people shudder.

Su Jingyao had been performing the half-squatting salute for quite a while, and suddenly she heard the Queen's question, and her heart trembled violently.

Her body trembled slightly and her face showed panic. Although she didn't know what was going on, she was so scared that she quickly knelt down.

"Please tell me clearly, Your Majesty." Her voice trembled slightly.

"Why did you marry into the East Palace?"

The queen looked down at Su Jingyao with a gaze as sharp as an arrow, and her voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

"My Queen, I entered the Eastern Palace to serve His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and to continue His Royal Highness's heir."

After Su Jingyao finished speaking, she bit her lips tightly and frowned slightly.

These are the words in the imperial edict, but can she tie up the prince and give birth to a child?

Su Jingyao lowered her head, looking pitiful, but she was so angry that she wanted to roll her eyes to the sky.

If you have the guts, go find your own son!

"I heard that you have been married into the Eastern Palace for ten days, but the Crown Prince has not yet consummated the marriage with you?"

The queen's words were straightforward and sharp, like a sword piercing Su Jingyao's heart.

Su Jingyao's pretty face turned red instantly. When the Queen asked her such a private matter in person, tears welled up in her eyes as if they would burst at any time.

At home, she has always been the apple of her parents' eyes. Even if she makes mistakes, her brother is there to protect her.

Now that she was being questioned by the Queen without any regard for her dignity, she felt very aggrieved.

"Empress, your Highness and the Crown Princess are in love. Your Highness has to deal with many complicated government affairs during the day. Whether it is the Crown Princess or me, as long as your Highness is comfortable, I will not have any complaints if your Highness does not come to me."

Su Jingyao tried hard to hold back the tears that were about to burst out, her eyes were red, and she tried hard not to let them fall.

Her voice was filled with a hint of crying, so pitiful that it made people feel pity.

When the Queen asked someone to inquire earlier, she already knew that Su Jingyao was a weak and simple person, but she didn't expect that she was so non-competitive.

Since the prince didn't go to her place, she really didn't fight for it and just guarded her own little world in Xiyan Palace.

"The Crown Prince is the heir to a country, and it is his great responsibility to continue the royal family. Since ancient times, there are three types of unfilial behavior, and the worst is to have no heir. I originally thought that as a noble lady from an aristocratic family, you would understand this."

"If a crown prince only acts according to his own will, how can he convince his officials and gain the love of the people?"

"Today you will copy the "Rules for Women" ten times in Kunning Palace before returning."

"Yes, I will remember the Queen's teachings."

"Get up."

"Thank you, Queen."

Su Jingyao stood up and, under the guidance of Aunt Jinhua, walked slowly towards a side hall with slightly heavy steps.

The palace maids had already prepared the pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

By the time Su Jingyao finished copying, it was already dark and her wrists were aching unbearably, as if they were being gnawed by millions of ants.

As for the Crown Prince, he has already spent almost the entire day in the Imperial Study.

Recently, some cities in the south have suffered from drought. Jun Zechen discussed countermeasures with his father and many ministers for a long time.

After the morning court session, discussions began on many aspects.

How to provide disaster relief and tax exemption, which cities need to open their warehouses to release grain, who should be sent to relocate the victims, how the Ministry of Works should develop water conservancy projects, how to appease the people, and send people to investigate the disaster situation, etc.

The day's discussion finally ended. Jun Zechen breathed a sigh of relief, slowly stood up, and prepared to salute his father and leave.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Jingsheng's chief eunuch, Eunuch Dehai, suddenly walked in.

Eunuch Dehai knelt down respectfully and saluted: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Get up, what's the matter?"

Emperor Jingsheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his majestic gaze still fixed on the policies and plans that had just been discussed, his voice intimidating without even being angry.

"Your Majesty, Aunt Jinhua from the Queen's side requests to see you."

The prince was startled. Someone around his mother? Could it be that something happened to his mother?

Thinking of this, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Let her in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After Aunt Jinhua entered the hall, she first bowed respectfully to Emperor Jingsheng and the Crown Prince, and then explained her purpose.

"Your Majesty, the Queen knows that you and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have been handling government affairs in the Imperial Study today. I didn't want to disturb Your Majesty and His Royal Highness, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."

When Aunt Jinhua said this, she glanced at the prince and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Emperor Jingsheng frowned slightly and asked, "How is the Crown Prince?"

He had already roughly guessed the Queen's intention of coming here.

"Your Majesty, please discipline your legitimate prince. Continuing the royal line is also the most important thing for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

After Aunt Jinhua finished speaking, she lowered her head, not daring to look at the two most distinguished people in the hall.

When Jun Zechen heard what Aunt Jinhua said, his face instantly turned ugly. His mother actually complained to his father in front of him!

After listening to Aunt Jinhua's words, Emperor Jingsheng looked relaxed. He sighed helplessly in his heart, Queen, oh Queen, you are really ordering him around more and more.

"Step back. I know what the Queen means."

After Aunt Jinhua quietly left, the prince slowly stood up and walked steadily to the center of the hall.

"Father, son and minister..."

"Prince."

Emperor Jingsheng's voice was not loud, but it contained supreme majesty. He raised his head slightly and looked at Jun Zechen with sharp eyes.

"Although your mother was slightly dissatisfied with the Crown Princess at first, the Queen did not stop you because you were in love with her. Now the Crown Princess has not been pregnant for two years. Your mother asked me to grant you a marriage with the Su family's legitimate daughter. Do you feel resentful?"

Jun Zechen bowed his head and replied respectfully, "I dare not. I know how much your mother loves me."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Jingsheng's eyes and he nodded.

The prince was gifted since childhood, and after entering school, his talent was particularly dazzling among all the princes.

Emperor Jingsheng looked at his outstanding son and felt very pleased.

He said in a gentle tone: "Now your decisions on government affairs are no less than mine."

"Father, how dare I compete with you?" Jun Zechen raised his head, his eyes filled with awe.

"When you were seventeen, I sent you to war. Do you know why?"

"As a man of courage, I should sweep across the world to protect my country and my people."

Jun Zechen's voice was firm and powerful. He straightened his body with determination in his eyes.

"Haha, that's true, but there are other reasons."

Emperor Jingsheng's gaze became profound, as if he was recalling the past.

"You grew up in the deep palace. Your mother never hid the secrets of the harem from you, so that you could understand the wickedness of human nature. After you entered the court, the conspiracies and schemes of the previous dynasty were countless. When you were young, you must have been extremely annoyed by it."

Jun Zechen listened to his father's words with a look of surprise on his face. He never thought that his father would understand his heart so well.

Hearing his father's words, Jun Zechen was slightly shocked.

He stared at Emperor Jingsheng, his lips trembling slightly. He wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

"You are still young and should not be trapped in all these calculations. As the crown prince, you must maneuver among the calculations while also being open-minded and caring about the world."

"I sent you to the battle so that you could see the corpses scattered all over the ground, witness the people being displaced, experience the cruelty of war, and deeply understand what it means for a country to be strong."

"And you."

Emperor Jingsheng's eyes were as sharp as torches as he met Jun Zechen's eyes, and his voice was sonorous and powerful.

"As a prince, the country is your most important responsibility. Even if you have a favorite girl when you are young, in front of the country, your loved ones, the things you love, and even yourself must be sacrificed."

"Father, I know that your country is the most important thing to you. I will devote myself to it until my death."

"Minister Su is a pillar of the country. If you ignore your concubine, you will chill the hearts of the ministers. I originally arranged a marriage for you. Since you did not refuse, you should assume the responsibility as the crown prince."

"If there is no Concubine Su, there will be more concubines and concubines in the future. Are you going to marry them all back to the palace as decorations?"

Jun Zechen's face changed, and he said sincerely: "I know my mistake, and I will definitely treat Concubine Su well."

"Well, back off."

"Yes, I will retire."

Jun Zechen walked out of the imperial study with a gloomy face and furrowed brows. With every step, there was a hint of anger as he walked slowly towards the East Palace.

Today's affairs were already numerous, and after they were finished, he was lectured by his father because of his mother's complaint, and he felt depressed.

"Anshun, what did the concubine do today?"

Jun Zechen's voice was as cold as ice, his eyes were filled with coldness, and he stared straight ahead coldly, as if he wanted to freeze everything in front of him.

An Shun bent his body and followed Jun Zechen carefully.

She replied softly, "Your Highness, the concubine went to the Empress's place in Kunning Palace today."

Jun Zechen's heart sank when he heard this.

Originally, he thought that Su Jingyao had been behaving herself in the Eastern Palace for ten days and was a simple, innocent, and non-confrontational woman.

I didn't expect her to be so scheming. Knowing that seducing me would be fruitless, she tried to please the Queen Mother in order to gain status.

His fists clenched unconsciously, and the anger in his eyes burst out like a burning flame.

Jun Zechen took big steps, his speed suddenly increased, and he walked into the East Palace with a majestic square step, heading straight towards the Xiyan Palace.

Anshun took small steps and tried his best to trot after him, secretly complaining in his heart.

Alas, his Royal Highness the Crown Prince, why doesn't he show any pity for his old bones?

Qiluan Palace.

When Ling Yue heard the news that Jun Zechen had returned to the East Palace, a hint of joy flashed in her beautiful eyes. She then eagerly ordered the servants to bring dinner, unable to hide her inner anticipation.

Meixiang's eyes flickered, revealing hesitation, her lips trembled slightly, and she seemed to be hesitant to speak.

She looked at her master's happy expression and couldn't bear to break her joy, but she also didn't want her master to be busy only to see the Crown Prince absent.

Finally, Meixiang took a deep breath and said softly, "Master, after His Highness returned to the East Palace, he immediately went to Xiyan Palace."

When Ling Yue heard this, her body trembled violently, the smile on her face froze instantly, and a hint of astonishment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

He said softly, "Aze must have gone to Xiyan Palace for something important, so let's keep the dinner warm."

Only her fluttering eyelashes and tightly clenched handkerchief betrayed her inner uneasiness.

Ling Yue slowly sat down on the couch, waved her jade hand gently, and Meixiang lowered her head and retreated.

She sat there alone, a look of loss gradually appearing on her beautiful face, and the light in her eyes became dim.

It is clear that Aze has ignored Su Jingyao for ten days, so maybe he really has something important to tell you when he goes to Xiyan Palace today.

But for some reason, her heart could not calm down, as if an invisible force was stirring her mind.

Su Jingyao's pitiful appearance kept appearing in her mind.

Su Jingyao is a girl from a noble family, a beautiful and charming girl, and an innocent and kind-hearted concubine of the crown prince. It is fully legitimate for the crown prince to go to Xiyan Palace.

But......

As a woman, Ling Yue herself would be distracted by Su Jingyao's beauty, let alone the prince.

Thinking of this, Ling Yue felt more and more uneasy. She really didn't want the prince to have too much contact with Su Jingyao.

However, I have no place to vent this fear and anxiety, and can only bury it deep in my heart.